Perrin, Andrew J. Citizen Speak: The Democratic Imagination in American Life. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006

Profiling

Since Mayor Jones's election three years ago, crime rates in our
area have been cut almost in half. Jones credits his get-tough
approach to crime along with the license he has granted to the
police department to cut crime however it sees fit. One
controversial step the police department has taken is so-called
``profile stops'': pulling cars over for minor infractions in the hope
that they will yield arrests for more serious crimes. Critics have
called the practice punishment for ``driving while black,'' noting
that black drivers are three times as likely to be pulled over under
the program than are white drivers.

Halfin

WASHINGTON - Sources close to Senator Joan Halfin confirmed today
that rumors of an influence-peddling scheme were at least partly
true. Halfin, who won re-election two years ago in a close race
against businessman Hugh Lankson, was unavailable for comment
yesterday.

The charges stem from that re-election campaign, reported to be the
most expensive in state history. Lankson, a toy-manufacturing
magnate who spent over $20 million of his own money in the race,
challenged Halfin to run a campaign "without special-interest
money." Halfin, in response, agreed not to accept money from PACs.

However, since the campaign, charges of bribery and
influence-peddling have dogged the Senator. Halfin, who is known in
Washington as a defender of environmental protection and
international children's rights, has recently shifted positions on
each of these issues; and the latest revelations suggest that the
automobile and clothing industries have pressured her to make the
changes in exchange for promised support in her next re-election
bid.

Furthermore, asked about accepting soft money, she said: "I
continue to support legislation to restrict or outlaw soft money.
But for now, no candidate can afford to reject soft money unless
she's a multi-millionaire. Until the law is changed, I have no
choice but to accept soft money contributions."

Chemco

Chemco, the region's second-largest employer, escalated the dispute
between itself and the Environmental Protection Agency yesterday,
claiming that Chemco was immune to the agency's regulations.

The dispute arose after the EPA fined Chemco $400,000 for releasing
too many ozone-depleting chemicals into the air. The ozone
regulations, which have been controversial for years, went into
effect two years ago over the objections of the chemical industry.

The EPA local office is threatening to pursue further action in the
case, including requiring that Chemco's plant be shut down if it
continues violating the regulations.

John Ellis, the chief lobbyist for the Washington, D.C.-based
environmental group AirWatch, backs the EPA's finding. "We think
Chemco's behavior is scandalous," said Ellis. "They're flouting the
health of the earth and the laws of the country." He urged EPA to
follow through by shutting down the factory.

Airport

Since the recent airport expansion, the number of airplanes flying
over your home has more than doubled. The airport, which was a
small, regional facility, has become a major destination with the
construction of a hub for Global Airways here. The planes are loud
enough to rattle your windows and make it impossible to have
conversations when they fly overhead.

There is no neighborhood association in your area, although you are
on friendly terms with most of your neighbors.